Local effort to combat gun violence: "It’s scary, it’s crazy"
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Funding comes in aftermath of July shootings in Peekskill
Hey all,
My quick little recaps of local news items, bulleted and otherwise, seemed to resonate with you in recent weeks so I’m back to serve another dish of community journalism this afternoon on a small platter.
Today we look at the tragic scourge of U.S. gun violence, and one local initiative here in Westchester to mitigate the metastasizing cancer.
Hurried summary: The City of Peekskill and a local nonprofit are receiving $100,000 in grants to combat crime and gun violence.
The backdrop: Peekskill was jolted last month when two women were shot at several times and wounded while in their car near Tompkins Park. A second shooting took place a few days later.
The grants were secured by New York State Senator Pete Harckham (D-Lewisboro) and are being awarded to Peekskill and Black Diamonds Academic Success, Inc., a nonprofit, Peekskill-based organization focused on youth achievement.
The local effort comes as gun violence continues to plague the nation. Just in 2020, more than 45,000 Americans died from firearms, whether by homicide or suicide, the most ever, and a 25 percent hike from just five years earlier, when the epidemic was already raging. (BBC report: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-41488081)
In their words: Three young men who were part of Black Diamonds Academic Success said the announcement gave them hope. Martinez, a former Peekskill High School student, said in our news report that issues at home are often an underlying problem:
“Many [youth] come from bad households where parents are violent with their kids,” Martinez said. “I’m confident the new programs will make a difference. It all comes down to setting an example. I’ve seen the violence. It’s scary, it’s crazy.”
What’s next: As part of its initiative, the organization is scheduled to host a Peekskill Alliance for Peace town hall event on Aug. 23 (today, if you’re reading this in our newsletter on the same day we send it) at Peekskill Middle School to address gun violence.
How it’ll work: Funding will mostly support programs that work with young men ages 18-24 who might be prone to gun violence and to help them develop career objectives and provide mental health support.
Learn more: Examiner reporter Abby Luby’s full article here – https://www.theexaminernews.com/grants-announced-to-combat-peekskill-gun-violence/
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